Do you need to control the exact temperature of your water (say for brewing specialty teas) or do you just need hot water? Kettles are really quite simple appliances. But why do you need a electric kettle buying guide? Electric kettles are popular with many coffee and tea lovers because they bring convenience, speed, and precision to the process of boiling water that no traditional kettle can match. For most people, a kettle really only has to do one thing – and that’s boil water. We test kettles to make sure they can at least make a cuppa, but there are also a few other things we look for in a good kettle. Find below our useful electric kettle buying guide.
- What is good in using electric kettle – electric kettle buying guide?
- Which is the best electric kettle to buy (guide)?
- What features should I look for – electric kettle buying guide?
- Recommended Popular Brands – electric kettle buying guide
- Smart kettles – electric kettle buying guide
- Price and feature comparison – electric kettle buying guide
What is good in using electric kettle – electric kettle buying guide?
They provide a few considerable benefits that make them well worth the cost for many consumers (electric kettle buying guide tips):
Easy to use: You add water and press a button, pretty much. Even electric kettles with more temperature settings and features are usually pretty intuitive to figure out.
Fast boiling : Electric kettles bring water to a boil faster than either a stove-top or the microwave can. If you value efficiency or want your morning cup of coffee to be ready faster each day, this is a big selling point in favor of electric kettles.
Precise: While this won’t matter for everyone, for tea lovers getting just the right temperature when brewing some types of tea can make a big difference in the flavor you get. Anyone that likes oolongs or green teas will appreciate being able to set the water for a specific temperature.
Energy efficient: Electric kettles use less energy to boil water than either a microwave or traditional stove-top kettle.
Which is the best electric kettle to buy (guide)?
| Stainless Steel | Glass | Plastic | Best to choose | |
| Heat Resistant | Yes | Yes | Only BPA Plastics are | Stainless Steel & Glass |
| Smell | No | No | May leave smell | Stainless Steel & Glass |
| Easy to Clean | Easy | Easy, but care to be taken to not scratch the glass | Difficult | Stainless Steel |
| Protection against fall | Yes | No, as glass is fragile | Yes | Stainless Steel & Plastic |
| Weight | Heavy | Medium Heavy | Light | Plastic |
| Full Visibility of Contents | Not Visible | Fully Visible | Not Visible | Glass |
| Price | Expensive | Most Expensive | Cheap | Plastic |
What features should I look for – electric kettle buying guide?
Wide spout or lid
Lids should open easily and preferably be hinged so you won’t remove and lose them. A wide spout means you don’t always have to open the lid to fill the kettle.
Comfortable handle
The kettle should feel balanced and lightweight, even when full. You should have enough finger room to avoid contact with the potentially hot surface of the kettle’s body. Look for a handle that’s thick enough to give a solid grip, but not so thick you can’t hold it securely.
Base
The base should be non-slip and allow the kettle to be placed on it in any position (360 degrees). It should also have a long enough cord so the kettle doesn’t have to be right next to the power point, and have room for cord storage underneath.
Controls and indicators
- Light-touch controls or a large switch make it easier to turn the kettle on and off.
- Indicator lights should be bright and obvious, so you can see them regardless of the light levels in your kitchen.
- For a quieter model, a tone or an audible click to alert you that the water has boiled could be handy.
- Water level indicatorsshould be easy to read from both sides, for both left- and right-handed use.
Size
You’ve got two main factors to consider when it comes to size. The first is capacity. Do you typically make a cup of coffee or tea for one, or are you usually brewing drinks for several? Most electric kettles hold enough for several cups, but some portable options have a smaller capacity, so make sure you think through your needs and compare them to the capacity of the kettles you consider before making a choice.
The other important size concern has to do with counter space. Every new item you add to a kitchen has to go somewhere and most kitchens already have a limited amount of counter space to work with. Before you buy an electric kettle, figure out where in your kitchen you’ll be keeping it and take some measurements. Better to know in advance what you have room for than to buy something that you can’t fit into the available space.
Electric or stovetop?
It’s mostly a matter of personal preference when choosing between an electric kettle and an old-style stovetop kettle. Stovetop kettles are still available and come in a range of styles.
We tested stovetop kettles a few years ago and found most of them only OK for ease of use, as the lids could be hard to remove and the handles weren’t so comfortable. As for energy efficiency, they aren’t as good as an electric kettle; on a stovetop some heat is lost into the surrounding air, while an electric kettle tends to lose very little heat, so almost all the energy goes into boiling the water. However, a kettle on an induction cooktop will still be fairly energy efficient, and will boil very quickly.
Exterior Heat
If you have much experience with traditional stove-top kettles, then you’re likely familiar with how hot they get to the touch on both the handle and the outside of the kettle. Electric versions aren’t immune to this issue, but some avoid external heat better than others.
If you don’t want to worry about burning yourself when you use your electric kettle, do some research to see what people say about how hot the appliance gets on the outside. A tea kettle that uses glass or plastic is likely to fare better in this regard than one that uses metal (although metal kettles offer other benefits).
Style and finish
Kettles come in many designs; many also come with matching toasters. The main finishes are stainless steel, plastic or glass. Each has its own pros and cons. For example, a stainless steel kettle may match your other appliances, but may show up fingerprints. A glass kettle looks sleek and modern, but in time you may see discolouration on the inner base, caused by mineral residue from the water. This means more frequent maintenance with bicarb or vinegar to keep it looking as good as new.
Noise
While electric kettles aren’t as loud as some kitchen appliances, they do still make some noise when boiling the water and many include beeping noises to let you know when your water is done as well. Both types of noise can get annoying to customers, particularly the beeping if it goes on for too long or there’s not an easy way to turn it off.
If you’re generally pretty sensitive to noises, this is another factor where it’s best to spend some time looking at an electric kettle’s reviews to see if anyone mentions the noise it makes. Consumers that are sensitive to noisy appliances are usually quick to comment on it if they’re bothered by the noise a product makes, so you should get fair warning if there’s anything to be concerned about.
Recommended Popular Brands – electric kettle buying guide
With anything electric, you need high-quality parts and construction to know you can count on the product for long haul. That means electric kettles are a space where brand reputation really matters. To help you find the most reputable brands to consider in your search for the best electric kettle, we looked at customer reviews by a number of the main brands in the industry. Here’s what customers have to say about their experience.
Capresso
Capresso’s glass electric kettle gets primarily positive reviews, but with a few negative ones mixed in. Most customers love how the kettle looks, like how fast it warms water, and like being able to see the water boil through the glass. Some customers specifically praise their electric kettle for lasting for years, while others complain theirs didn’t last longer than a few months – so mileage varies on how durable the kettles are. More customers are happy than not, but there’s at least a little cause for concern based on reviews.
Bonavita
Bonavita’s variable temperature electric kettles are popular with customers. The general consensus seems to be that their electric kettles are easy to pour, easy to clean, and warm up water fast. The vast majority of reviews are positive, so you’re probably in safe hands with Bonavita.
Chefman
Chefman’s another brand with predominantly positive reviews for their electric kettles, but a number of detractors mixed in amongst the happy customers. Most reviews talk positively about the kettles, saying they’re easy to use, have great features, look good, and heat water fast. Others complain about loud beeping and durability issues. Most customers are happy with their Chefman kettle, but this is another case where there’s a chance you’ll have issues.
Cuisinart
Cuisinart sells a range of electric kettles that earn mixed, but mostly positive reviews from customers. Reviewers say their kettles work fast and offer great features. But a number of customers complain about problems with durability, and many of those mention disappointing experiences with Cuisinart’s customer service. This is another case where you’ll probably be happy with your Cuisinart kettle for the amount of time it works, but may start to have problems not too long after purchase.
Chef’s Choice
Chef’s Choice sells a number of electric kettle models, many of them cordless. Most reviewers are happy with their purchase, saying their kettle heats water fast, looks good, and is convenient to use. A number of reviewers complain about durability issues though. With Chef’s Choice, your electric kettle is likely to work great for as long as it lasts, but it may not last long.
Hamilton Beach
Hamilton Beach offers affordable electric kettles that earn mixed, but mostly positive reviews. Happy customers say their kettles work fast, are safe, and are easy to use. Some models get complaints for being hot to the touch or leaking. In general, customers see Hamilton Beach as being a good value for the price.
Epica
Epica’s affordable electric kettles are well reviewed by customers. People say their kettles are fast, offer good temperature settings and features, and are easy to use and pour. Reviews are almost uniformly positive and customers seem to agree they’re a great budget option.
Ovente
Ovente’s affordable electric kettles earn mixed reviews from customers. Some customers praise the look of the kettles and how fast they work, but others say that they don’t last long and complain about the amount of plastic used in making them. According to customers, Ovente’s kettles are hit or miss.
KitchenAid
KitchenAid sells attractive, colorful electric kettles that customers routinely provide positive reviews for. Reviewers say the kettles are sturdy, easy to use, warm water fast, and look good. The occasional reviewer complains about a kettle not lasting long, but they’re in the minority. On the whole, reviews suggest KitchenAid is a safe bet.
Oxo
Oxo provides electric kettles that are generally well reviewed by customers. Reviews frequently comment that the kettles are easy to use, work well, have great features, and are beautiful. Negative reviews are rare, but some people do complain about their kettle having particular parts that are low quality or having some issues within a couple of years of buying. On the whole, reviews suggest Oxo is a reliable brand to consider.
Do electric kettles use much energy?
No. Most electric kettles are not expensive to run. Boiling a full kettle a couple of times a day over the course of a year would only set you back about $20 or less.
To save money and energy, only boil as much water each time as you actually need. For most kettles the minimum level is about two cups – a bit of a waste if you’re just making one cup of tea of coffee, but still better than boiling a full kettle.
Can kettles add a weird taste to boiled water?
We’ve had reports that some kettles, particularly plastic kettles, can give the boiled water a strange or unpleasant taste. A quick experiment in our lab with a cheap plastic kettle confirmed that this can indeed happen with water that has been left in the kettle and reboiled again and again. We don’t know if there’s anything more to this than just a plasticky odour, but it is certainly worth avoiding.
To avoid this problem, try to only fill the kettle with as much water as you need each time (good advice in any case – it’s more energy-efficient). If any boiled water is left over, pour it out before you refill the kettle. If the problem persists, it might be time to replace your plastic kettle, perhaps with a glass or metal-bodied model.
Smart kettles – electric kettle buying guide
Smart kettles Smart kettles work with an app on your smartphone or tablet, allowing you to check how much water is inside, see how hot the water is and set it to boil remotely. However, they tend to be a lot more expensive than other kettles we’ve tested and you’ll still need to fill the kettle (and actually make your tea). There aren’t many around, but if you’re keen, check our review of the Smarter iKettle 3 to see what we thought of the smart features – and if it gets the basics right, too.
Features and Extras
- Auto Shutoff — We all forget to turn appliances off from time to time. An electric kettle that includes an auto shutoff feature will make sure you don’t waste energy by turning the kettle off after a set amount of time if you don’t return to it.
- Base Cord Storage — Cords have an obnoxious tendency to always get in the way. Base cord storage ensures you only have to deal with the kettle’s cord when you need.
- Cordless (or detachable cord) — A kettle that’s cordless or has a detachable cord will generally be easier to use and store.
- Water Gauge — A visible water gauge will help you more easily keep up with how much water’s in your kettle at any given time.
- Keep Warm Feature — Have you ever had your kettle go off right when you were in the middle of doing something important? An electric kettle with this feature will keep the water warm for you until you’re able to get back to it to pour your drink.
Price and feature comparison – electric kettle buying guide
Low range
| Price Range | Below $20 |
|---|---|
| Heating Power | 1000 W |
| Capacity | 1L-1.5L |
| Body Material | Plastic |
| Form Factor | Jug |
| Warranty | 6 months to 1 year |
| Extra Features |
Medium range
| Price Range | $ 20 -$ 70 |
|---|---|
| Heating Power | 1000 W – 2000 W |
| Capacity | 1L – 1.75L |
| Body Material | Plastic, SS, Glass |
| Form Factor | Jug, Cooker |
| Warranty | 1 year – 2 Year |
| Extra Features |
High range
| Price Range | $70 above |
|---|---|
| Heating Power | 1500 W – 2000 W |
| Capacity | 1.5 – 2L |
| Body Material | SS, Glass |
| Form Factor | Jug, Cooker |
| Warranty | 2 Year |
| Extra Features |